Seven.

Seven years ago, this amazing girl was born a mere eight minutes after we arrived at the hospital.

But for a very in-tune grandfather, she would have been born at the side of the road in Ohio. No words could ever describe the agony of a labor brought on by a placental abruption. I still dream about it. But beauty and joy emerge from pain, always.

We joke that she was so excited to get started on life that she just couldn’t wait another minute.

I can’t seem to get over the awe she inspires in my life. She is the embodiment of purity.

She is tender and kind. Most days, she is my quiet conscience. Our entire family is blessed daily by her happy presence.